MasterChef: The Professionals 2026: Where to watch it, who are the contestants, judges, critics, guest chefs, finalists and winner.

Series 18 of MasterChef: The Professionals is set to air from Tuesday, February 10, taking place in a new Birmingham studio.

It could be the first of two series shown in 2026.

Usually aired in November and December, the 2025 series was pushed back to early 2026.

Filming has already taken place for series 18, while applications are now open for series 19.

Previous series of MasterChef: The Professionals are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Judges, guest chefs, food critics, chef contestants

In series 18, Monica Galetti and Marcus Wareing return as judges, with the pair joined by a new host in Matt Tebbutt, who replaces Gregg Wallace.

For the first time, the skills test will be set by former MasterChef: The Professionals champions and finalists.

Returning to the kitchen are 2016 champion Gary Maclean, 2020 finalist and cookbook author Philli Armitage-Mattin, 2022 champion Nikita Pathakji, and 2018 finalist Matthew Ryle.

In the quarter finals, leading critics, writers and restaurateurs return to judge the chefs’ food, including Jay Rayner, Tom Parker Bowles, Leyla Kazim, Jimi Famurewa, April Jackson, William Sitwell and Xanthe Clay.

The remaining chefs also receive a masterclass from John Chantarasak of Michelin-starred AngloThai, before cooking Thai-style dishes using ingredients from the MasterChef larder, including access to a traditional Thai charcoal stove.

Later, contestants travel to the Scottish Highlands to cook as part of Mark Donald’s brigade at the two-Michelin-starred Glenturret Lalique restaurant, experiencing the pace and precision of a world-class kitchen.

One of the most daunting stages of the competition, Chef’s Table, returns to The Goring Hotel’s Michelin-starred Dining Room in central London.

For the final three, the competition culminates in South Tyrol, Italy, where the chefs cook for Norbert Niederkofler at his three-Michelin-starred Atelier Moessmer.

When does the MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 start?

The start date for series 18 of MasterChef: The Professionals has been confirmed as Tuesday, February 10.

It is set to run for seven weeks, and is expected that there will be four weeks of heats, followed by the semi-finals and finals.

When is the MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 final?

It is yet to be confirmed when the next final of MasterChef: The Professionals will be.

Who is taking part in MasterChef: The Professionals 2026?

The contestants taking part in MasterChef: The Professionals 2026 will feature 32 chefs selected from across the country. Applications closed on March 31st, 2025.

Who won MasterChef: The Professionals 2024?

Dan Merriman saw off the competition of 31 other chefs across the series, outcooking fellow finalists Chiara Tomasoni and George Birtwell to take the trophy.

Who won MasterChef: The Professionals 2023?

Tom Hamblet, Sous Chef at South Lodge Hotel, was crowned MasterChef: The Professionals 2023 winner, beating his fellow finalists Kasae Fraser and Tommy Thorn who both also competed in the Grand Final.

Who won MasterChef: The Professionals 2022?

Junior sous chef at Kitchen W8, Nikita Pathakji beat her fellow finalists, Sagar Massey, and Charlie Jeffreys, to become the winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2022.

Who won MasterChef: The Professionals 2021?

Private chef and UCB graduate Daniel Lee beat his fellow finalists Aaron Middleton and Liam Rogers to become the winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2021.

Who won MasterChef: The Professionals 2020?

Alex Webb is the former head chef at Square 1 Restaurant and Catering in Dunmow was crowned Masterchef: The Professionals 2020 winner.

Who won MasterChef: The Professionals 2019?

Stuart 'Stu' Deeley, formerly the head chef at The Wilderness in Birmingham, won the MasterChef: The Professionals 2019 competition. Stu's project to open his own restaurant in his home city was delayed because of coronavirus, and then saw him take on a role as development chef at Hampton Manor's one Michelin star restaurant, Peel's.

Who won MasterChef: The Professionals 2018?

Laurence Henry, former sous chef at two Michelin-starred Restaurant Sat Bains won MasterChef: The Professionals 2018.